Hong Kong
Still current at: 22 July 2010
Updated: 22 July 2010
This advice has been reviewed and reissued without amendment. The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are currently no travel restrictions in place in Hong Kong.
Travel Summary
Although Hong Kong has separate immigration controls from Mainland China and separate legal and law enforcement systems, it could still be vulnerable to both terrorism directed at China, and the global threat from terrorism. Any attacks could be indiscriminate including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
In 2009, 539,045 British tourists visited Hong Kong (Source: The Hong Kong Tourism Board). Most visits are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Hong Kong in 2009 was for replacing lost and stolen passports and petty crimes. You should take sensible precautions against pickpocketing and other street crime.
In both 2006 and 2007 the Hong Kong press reported instances of spiked drinks. See the Crime Section of this Travel Advice.
The typhoon season in Hong Kong normally runs from April to October. See the Natural Disasters section of this Travel Advice.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General ( Insurance ) section of this Travel Advice . Top
Safety and security
Terrorism
Although Hong Kong has separate immigration controls from Mainland China and separate legal and law enforcement systems, it could still be vulnerable to both terrorism directed at China, and the global threat from terrorism. They could be indiscriminate including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For more general information see Terrorism abroad. Top
Crime
The incidence of violent crime is very low but pick pocketing and other street crime can occur in urban areas. You should take extra care of passports, credit cards and money in crowded areas. You should be careful of your belongings when checking in and out of hotels. There have also been some isolated incidents of robberies in Hong Kong's Country Parks since 2005; these incidents have been reduced following a crime prevention operation by the Hong Kong Police. Nevertheless, if you intend to hike in Hong Kong's Country Parks you should stick to marked trails and avoid carrying credit/bank cards or large amounts of cash.
In both 2006 and 2007, the Hong Kong press reported instances of spiked drinks, targeting both males and females. Whilst there have been no recent reports of this practice, you should ensure that anything you drink cannot be tampered with. You should also be wary of accepting drinks from strangers and always have a trusted friend to keep an eye on any unfinished drink if you need to leave it for a period of time.
For more general information see Victims of crime abroad.
Political Situation
Hong Kong is a stable society underpinned by the rule of law. Large-scale demonstrations are becoming more frequent in Hong Kong, but despite the substantial numbers these sometimes attract, they have been conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner. However, you should take sensible precautions against petty crime if in the vicinity. Top
Hong Kong country profile
Local laws and customs
Hong Kong law is based mainly on UK law. There are on the spot fines for littering and spitting. There is zero tolerance for ticketless travel the Mass Transit Railway (MTR).
You should not become involved with illicit drugs of any kind. Possession of these drugs can lead to imprisonment.
As a general precaution don't take photographs of military installations in Hong Kong. Since the 1997 handover, the defence of Hong Kong has been the responsibility of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). All previous British military barracks now belong to the PLA.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip. Top
Entry requirements
Visas Although Hong Kong is now part of the People's Republic of China it remains a Special Administrative Region with its own immigration controls. You can stay in Hong Kong for up to six months without a visa.
Passport validity
A British Citizen will normally be granted six months entry to Hong Kong on arrival, but only if the passport is valid for six months or more. If the passport has less than 6 months validity, Hong Kong Immigration will only grant one month longer than the scheduled stay in Hong Kong, but only if the validity of the passport allows this. The passport must be valid for the duration of stay in Hong Kong.
Employment
You must obtain an appropriate visa before arriving in Hong Kong if it is your intention to work there. For more information, you can contact the nearest Chinese mission with visa issuing facilities or the Hong Kong Immigration Department. Their address is Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong (tel: 2824 4055, fax: 2598 8388).
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Shopping
The vast majority of retail outlets are fair and honest. However, you should be aware that a number of incidents have occurred in the Nathan Road/Tsim Tsa Tsui area where shoppers have been overcharged for older models of goods. You should shop around for prices before purchase as claims for compensation after goods have been paid will have to be referred to the consumer council website. You should be aware that this process may take some time. Top
Still current at: 22 July 2010
Updated: 22 July 2010
This advice has been reviewed and reissued without amendment. The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are currently no travel restrictions in place in Hong Kong.
Travel Summary
Although Hong Kong has separate immigration controls from Mainland China and separate legal and law enforcement systems, it could still be vulnerable to both terrorism directed at China, and the global threat from terrorism. Any attacks could be indiscriminate including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
In 2009, 539,045 British tourists visited Hong Kong (Source: The Hong Kong Tourism Board). Most visits are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Hong Kong in 2009 was for replacing lost and stolen passports and petty crimes. You should take sensible precautions against pickpocketing and other street crime.
In both 2006 and 2007 the Hong Kong press reported instances of spiked drinks. See the Crime Section of this Travel Advice.
The typhoon season in Hong Kong normally runs from April to October. See the Natural Disasters section of this Travel Advice.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General ( Insurance ) section of this Travel Advice . Top
Safety and security
Terrorism
Although Hong Kong has separate immigration controls from Mainland China and separate legal and law enforcement systems, it could still be vulnerable to both terrorism directed at China, and the global threat from terrorism. They could be indiscriminate including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For more general information see Terrorism abroad. Top
Crime
The incidence of violent crime is very low but pick pocketing and other street crime can occur in urban areas. You should take extra care of passports, credit cards and money in crowded areas. You should be careful of your belongings when checking in and out of hotels. There have also been some isolated incidents of robberies in Hong Kong's Country Parks since 2005; these incidents have been reduced following a crime prevention operation by the Hong Kong Police. Nevertheless, if you intend to hike in Hong Kong's Country Parks you should stick to marked trails and avoid carrying credit/bank cards or large amounts of cash.
In both 2006 and 2007, the Hong Kong press reported instances of spiked drinks, targeting both males and females. Whilst there have been no recent reports of this practice, you should ensure that anything you drink cannot be tampered with. You should also be wary of accepting drinks from strangers and always have a trusted friend to keep an eye on any unfinished drink if you need to leave it for a period of time.
For more general information see Victims of crime abroad.
Political Situation
Hong Kong is a stable society underpinned by the rule of law. Large-scale demonstrations are becoming more frequent in Hong Kong, but despite the substantial numbers these sometimes attract, they have been conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner. However, you should take sensible precautions against petty crime if in the vicinity. Top
Hong Kong country profile
Local laws and customs
Hong Kong law is based mainly on UK law. There are on the spot fines for littering and spitting. There is zero tolerance for ticketless travel the Mass Transit Railway (MTR).
You should not become involved with illicit drugs of any kind. Possession of these drugs can lead to imprisonment.
As a general precaution don't take photographs of military installations in Hong Kong. Since the 1997 handover, the defence of Hong Kong has been the responsibility of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). All previous British military barracks now belong to the PLA.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip. Top
Entry requirements
Visas Although Hong Kong is now part of the People's Republic of China it remains a Special Administrative Region with its own immigration controls. You can stay in Hong Kong for up to six months without a visa.
Passport validity
A British Citizen will normally be granted six months entry to Hong Kong on arrival, but only if the passport is valid for six months or more. If the passport has less than 6 months validity, Hong Kong Immigration will only grant one month longer than the scheduled stay in Hong Kong, but only if the validity of the passport allows this. The passport must be valid for the duration of stay in Hong Kong.
Employment
You must obtain an appropriate visa before arriving in Hong Kong if it is your intention to work there. For more information, you can contact the nearest Chinese mission with visa issuing facilities or the Hong Kong Immigration Department. Their address is Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong (tel: 2824 4055, fax: 2598 8388).
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Shopping
The vast majority of retail outlets are fair and honest. However, you should be aware that a number of incidents have occurred in the Nathan Road/Tsim Tsa Tsui area where shoppers have been overcharged for older models of goods. You should shop around for prices before purchase as claims for compensation after goods have been paid will have to be referred to the consumer council website. You should be aware that this process may take some time. Top